Contents

About the course

The PGCE History course at Roehampton is based on a successful partnership with local schools, where experienced mentors join university tutors in teaching the programme. The course sets out to give you a sense of the place of history in a multicultural society. It also equips you to teach across secondary and to foster learning across the wide spectrum of abilities found in local schools. You will enter into the lively debates surrounding history teaching and the place of history in the whole school curriculum, including history’s contribution to literacy and citizenship.

The course is an active and demanding combination of teaching and learning methods, including simulations of classroom activities, individual tutorials and group sessions. You are encouraged to share your own expertise and experience. We take advantage of developments in e learning to stay in touch during placements, to encourage collaborative and creative teaching, and to promote reflective and effective practice. Written assignments give you the opportunity to explore the most recent developments in research into teaching and learning, while building upon your grounding in history at undergraduate or masters level.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have an approved degree in history or in a closely related subject that has a large percentage of history content (at least 50%). Early application is advisable, and interviews will be offered to candidates who have spent some time observing or working in a school. Interviews will include written and practical tasks related to the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 in History. It is expected that places will be offered to candidates with a 2:1 or above.

For more information about the School Direct History Course please see: (https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/pgce-secondary/pgce-secondary-history-specialism/)

Interview process

Applicants will be interviewed in conjunction with St. Bonaventure's School. Observation before interview is not a requirement. Many applicants do find observation before interview can be very helpful, however.

Candidates should note that school placements will be in local state secondary schools, so observational experience outside of this sector might not provide an adequate understanding of the rewards and challenges presented to teachers in this sector. Any observational experience – in either the state or independent sector – should provide an opportunity to gain insight into teaching, learning and reflection upon the professional responsibilities of teachers. Candidates are invited to contact subject tutors for advice by email if they have any uncertainties about the relevance of observation undertaken.

For more information please see: (https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/applying/pgce-secondary-entry-requirements/)

How school placements work

You will spend at least 120 days in school over the year long programme, and will also attend classes at Roehampton. Your main placement will be in a school within the Agnus Dei Teaching School Alliance and there will also be a shorter placement in another school within the alliance which will add breadth to the experience.

You will be visited in school by a university tutor, and you will have a mentor in school. The training at Roehampton will enable you to reflect upon your practice within the broad context of educational theory so that you will feel equipped to teach in any school.

For more information please see: (https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/school-direct/)

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,250

EU students

£9,250

International students

£13,520

Financial support

You’ll get a bursary of £12,000 if you have a degree of 2:2 or above in any subject.

You don’t have to apply for a bursary - you’ll automatically start receiving it once you begin your course. Find out how you’ll be paid.

Requirements

Qualifications

Please note we will not consider anyone with a 3rd class degree unless the applicant is already holder of a higher degree or has extensive relevant professional experience.

Candidates should have achieved a grade C or above in both Mathematics and English Language GCSEs. If you do not currently hold a GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English Language, we accept the equivalency tests in Mathematics and English offered by Equivalency Testing.

Students are required to pass Professional Skills tests in literacy and numeracy.

Personal qualities

We are looking for applicants who have the potential to become outstanding teachers, and who are able to work independently on their studies while training in a school context.

A successful applicant will be highly self-motivated, hardworking and deeply reflective. In addition, applicants should be willing and ready to take on advice and feedback, adapt their teaching to suit different learning styles and work successfully in a professional whole-school environment.

Other requirements

We recommend that you undertake some relevant work experience prior to interview.

About the training provider

Agnus Dei Teaching Schools’ Alliance is an outstanding place to work and learn. It provides a supportive and tailored learning opportunity in partnership with St Mary’s University, University of East London, Roehampton University and the Institute of Education (UCL).

The Alliance is a partnership of 15 Catholic secondary schools across South, East, North East London, and Essex, many of whom have achieved an outstanding rating and all of whom have considerable experience of training teachers. Our staff are professional and talented practitioners who regularly share their knowledge, skills and expertise with trainee teachers in their own schools and across the Alliance. Our partnership of secondary schools is led by St Bonaventure’s School and incorporates the following schools:

-Bishop Challenor Catholic Federation

-Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, Brentwood

-Cardinal Pole, Hackney

-De La Salle, Basildon

-Holy Family, Walthamstow

-New Hall Independent School, Chelmsford

-Notre Dame School, Southwark

-Sacred Heart of Mary, Upminster

-St Angela’s Ursuline School, Forest Gate

-St Benedict’s College, Colchester

-St John’s, Chigwell

-St John Payne, Chelmsford

-St Thomas More, Leigh-on-Sea

-The Campion School, Upminster

-The Palmer Catholic Academy, Seven Kings

-Ursuline Academy, Ilford

Our vision is that staff and students feel valued, experience success and enjoy learning. We aim to recruit, train and retain the very best Catholic school teachers and develop them into the best Catholic school leaders.

Our programme is open to applicants from all faiths, not just Catholics but we expect applicants to be sympathetic to the Catholic ethos of our partner schools.

About the accredited provider

The School of Education at Roehampton is a principal provider of teacher training in the UK, with 350 partnership schools.

You will enjoy high quality teaching, to equip you for a successful career and competitive starting salary. 99% of teacher training graduates are in work or further study six months after leaving us. (Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education 2013/14).

We are based on a beautiful parkland campus in south-west London, 30 minutes from the West End. Our School is ranked third in London for the quality of our research in the field of education (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

(https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/why-roehampton/)

Training with disabilities and other needs

UCL:

School Direct students are entitled to support from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) team.

You can find more information here:- (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/disability-support)

Roehampton:

The University of Roehampton welcomes students with disabilities and offers flexible support services tailored to your needs. Our Disability and Dyslexia Services are on the main campus, Digby Stuart, along with our Access Centre: Access@SW15.

For more information on support for students please see here:

(https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/disability-services/)

St. Mary's:

St Mary's aims to provide an inclusive environment for all students, including students with additional support requirements.

We offer advice and support to our students who have requirements as a result of a disability, mental health condition, specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia), medical condition or temporary disability, such as injury.

The Disability & Dyslexia Team provides a completely confidential service and any information such as diagnostic reports, medical evidence or DSA Needs Assessments that are received on your behalf will be held confidentially in line with the University’s Data Protection Policy.

For more information on training with disabilities and other needs please go to: